TGMGF: Theta Gold Mines Completes Gravity Survey of Existing Tailings Dam and the Area of its Planned Extension

By Steven Ralston, CFA

OTC:TGMGF | ASX:TGM

READ THE FULL TGMGF RESEARCH REPORT

Theta Gold Mines TGMGF TGM is a junior mining company on the verge of transitioning from a junior exploration company to a gold producer. By targeting high-grade, near-surface gold reef deposits in the brownfield Pilgrims Rest and Sabie Gold Fields in South Africa, management plans to employ modern mining and gold processing techniques to produce over 350,000 oz. Au through the initial development of three near-surface mines (Beta, Frankfort and CDM) of the 43 historical mines held by the company situated in the Eastern Transvaal Gold Fields. Furthermore, through multiple exploration campaigns, the company's Total Mineral Resource has increased by over 100% over the last four years.

Recent Management Update

Gravity Survey of Tailing Facilities

In preparation for construction activities to begin on the tailings dam, a gravity survey encompassing the existing tailings dam and the area of its planned extension was completed in May 2021. The South Africa National Standard 1936 requires a gravity survey prior to commencement of any construction work on the tailings dam.

Surface Sampling at the Tailings Dam of the Rietfontein Mine

Recently, surface sampling of Rietfontein tailings dam was completed. The Rietfontein tailings dam was systematically sampled on a 50m by 50m grid to a depth of 8 meters. Ten-kilogram bulk samples were collected from each of the 55 holes and shipped to a SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) approved gold laboratory. Currently, the tailings dam at Rietfontein is in the company's resource estimate.

Survey of Southern Section of the Beta Mine

The southern section of the Beta Mine was surveyed. Certain markers were identified, which will allow current mines plans to be spatially superimposed on historical mine maps and prior sampling information. Contemporary confirmation sampling of historical samples would allow those historic stope samples to be included in future resource estimates. Currently, the southern section of Beta Mine is in the company's resource estimate.

Progress on Refurbishing the Gold Processing Plant

Management is working on refurbishing the historic gold processing facility. Management plans on decommissioning certain components, salvaging others and installing new equipment in its effort to construct a new gold processing plant on the already-approved plant & tailings facility footprint.

The absorption and CIL tanks have been pumped out and cleaned for inspection. During the third quarter, a structural engineer will conduct an assessment of these tanks in terms of stability and thickness in order to determine whether they can be re-conditioned.

The purchase inquiries of long-lead-time, crushing circuit and pre-concentration equipment have been confirmed; however, additional metallurgical optimization work is required in order to determine the final process design, particularly in terms of carbon float recoveries.

Recent Milestones

April 8, 2021      Maiden underground mining reserve

April 13, 2021      Pre-Feasibility Study on underground reserve

May 2021      Gravity survey completed of tailing dam and planned extension area

A Maiden Underground Mining Reserve and Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the near-surface, underground Beta, Frankfort and CDM (Clewer, Dukes & Morgenzon) mines were released in mid-April. The work for the completion of the PFS contributed to a significant increase in the company's Ore Mine Reserve. In addition, the company's Total Mineral Resource (Measured, Indicated, and Inferred) has increased to 6.105 million oz Au.

Timetable of Upcoming Milestones

1Q 2022      DFS on the Underground Project (Beta, CDM and Frankfort Mines)

TBA      PFS on the Rietfontein mine, upgrading the Scoping study

PFS Project – Rietfontein Mine

Management is planning a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Rietfontein Mine, building on the Scoping Study completed in February 2017 and revised in September 2018. Currently, the estimated Mineral Resources at the Rietfontein Mine are 242,200 oz gold (grading 8.2 g/t Au) in the Indicated category and 537,600 oz gold (grading 14.0 g/t Au) in the Inferred category. As with the Beta, Frankfort and CDM Mines, management believes that a significant percentage of the Indicated Resource can be upgraded to Reserve status. It is expected that the PFS would be additive to Theta's Mining Reserve and hence, would further increase the company's potential production profile.

Valuation

Based on our calculation of share value of attributable resources, our target for Theta Gold Mines stock is $0.71. Our calculation of share value of attributable resources is based on the ascertained net asset value of each property, which is determined by adjusting the value of estimated resources for the expected recovery rate and mining/processing costs.

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